JOHNSON CITY—The Norwich Purple Tornado girls’ basketball advances to the Section IV, Class A championship! The Purple Tornado had a strong fourth quarter, posting 21 points and going on a run halfway through the quarter to secure a 61-49 victory against the number two seed, Johnson City. The Wildcats gave Norwich a challenge in the second half with cutting the Purple Tornado’s lead by two a few times, but could never take the lead with a strong Norwich defense and steady offense.

Norwich is returning to the Sectional championships for the first time since 2022, where they won the STAC that year and were the Section IV, Class B champions. The 2022 team that year featured Josey Ryan and Emma Urgo, who return to the arena, looking to make a statement as upperclassmen.

Emma Urgo had great opportunities on Wednesday night, where when she had the ball, she hardly missed, helping Norwich pull off the win. Urgo went off in the first half with 16 points and then slowed things down as others like Brynley and Josey Ryan tore it up in the second half.

Urgo did lead the team with 22 points and 11 rebounds with the team pulling together as a whole to secure the victory. She also had five blocks and five assists.

Josey Ryan added 16 points, where she had a good night at the free-throw line. She went six-of-seven, adding five free-throws in the fourth quarter.

Brynley Ryan hustled throughout the contest, where she also played aggressively on defense, along with Josey, who had many breakaways. Brynley went off in the third quarter with eight points and finished with 10 points overall.

Brooklyn Burke was again another great asset off the bench, where she added eight points and made both free-throw attempts she received. Kerragan Reid finished with five points and played great defense as well in the win.

“I went to the arena as a player my senior year and now I get to go as a coach,” Norwich alum and girls’ basketball first year head coach Abby Flynn said. “It was nice to get this win and then get one on Sunday.”

Norwich will face top-seed Maine-Endwell on Sunday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. at the Visions Memorial Arena in Binghamton. Admission will be charged through GOFan Digital Ticketing.

Good luck, Norwich.